Chess Puzzle #0UXlD — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 822 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks a1/f1; knight b1; pawns a3/b2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d4; rooks a8/h8; knight f2; pawns a7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pQ2pp1p/6p1/8/3q4/P7/1P3nPP/RN3R1K w kq - 2 18

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.